The New England Patriots’ trade for A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles was a big talking point this NFL offseason. His addition gives Drake Maye another weapon as the team looks to go a step further after a Super Bowl appearance.

The NFL posted the veteran wide receiver’s photos wearing New England’s No. 1 jersey. The first showed Brown holding the football with both hands, while the other was with his helmet on.

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It received mixed fan reactions, with some expressing excitement. However, others poked fun at Brown in his new threads.

“Man looks like he just got drafted by Kohl’s Sporting Goods,” one reaction read.

“A.J. Brown as the new No. 1 in New England? Patriots just got their guy,” a fan said.

“Has a promising season ahead of him,” one user commented.

“RIP New England,” posted another.

“Pats fans are ready to embrace a new era. The future in Foxborough is starting to take shape,” one fan wrote.

“Drake Maye just got another weapon,” a comment read.

A.J. Brown’s 2025 season

Brown appeared and started 15 games for the Eagles. He recorded 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. Speculation about frustration due to a reduced role and not getting along well with some teammates emerged and led to his trade.

With a fresh start at Foxborough, Brown has a chance to prove that he remains one of the best wideouts on the NFL. Fans look forward to his first game for the Patriots, which is set for Sept. 9 against the Seattle Seahawks.

Suddenly, the NFL is less than two months away from the start of the regular season. In just a few weeks, the preseason will kick off, and rookies will make their on-field debuts. However, those aren’t the only debuts fans are eagerly anticipating.

Several blockbuster trades and notable free agent signings highlighted the offseason. Among them was the long-anticipated trade that sent AJ Brown to the New England Patriots. Needless to say, many fans are eager to see him reunite with head coach Mike Vrabel.

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The NFL’s official website recently released its list of the most anticipated debuts of the 2026 season. Brown topped the list and is undoubtedly one of the league’s most highly anticipated newcomers.

“In arguably the most anticipated matchup of Week 1, we get one of the most anticipated player debuts of the entire slate. After months of questions and consternation, Brown was finally traded from the Eagles to the Patriots, theoretically landing Drake Maye a true WR1 and adding juice to the passing attack that New England frankly didn’t have in Super Bowl LX. Will he be enough to tip the scales for the Pats? We’ll find out right at the start of the 2026 season in this title game rematch.”

Brown represents a significant upgrade over Stefon Diggs, whom the Patriots released this offseason. New England also bolstered its receiving corps by signing Romeo Doubs in free agency.

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Although Brown’s pairing with quarterback Drake Maye has generated plenty of excitement, the biggest storyline is his reunion with Vrabel.

Brown entered the NFL under Vrabel after the Tennessee Titans selected him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The two worked together until the Titans traded Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles after contract extension negotiations fell apart.

Brown continued to thrive in Philadelphia, helping lead the Eagles to two Super Bowl appearances and capturing a championship just a few years ago.

However, tensions surfaced during the Eagles’ title defense, ultimately leading to Brown’s trade this offseason. Now reunited in New England, Brown and Vrabel will try to accomplish what they couldn’t in Tennessee: make a Super Bowl run.